A
Facebook campaign is encouraging creation of a bald-headed Barbie doll
to offer support to girls in chemotherapy. The movement, begun by women
with daughters undergoing cancer treatment or dealing with other
hair-loss conditions such as alopecia, already has received over 18,000
"likes" on Facebook. The Barbie doll, historically a role model for
young girls, has long presented careers and aspirations in a favorable
light, but has never lacked hair. Beckie Sypin of Lancaster, Calif., one
of the mothers leading the effort, said, "I know with a lot of the
girls we’ve met through treatment, the cancer part isn’t the part that
scares them. It’s the fact they’re bald. The girls cry over losing their
hair." Barbie manufacturer Mattel has not commented on the campaign,
except to acknowledge the Facebook group with a letter, which did not
outline the company’s plans.
